Itinerary
The capital of Dutch St. Maarten stretches about a mile (1½ km) along an isthmus between Great Bay and the Salt Pond and has five parallel streets. Most of the village’s dozens of shops and restaurants are on Front Street, narrow and cobblestone, closest to Great Bay. It’s generally congested when cruise ships are in port, because of its many duty-free shops and several casinos. Little lanes called steegjes connect Front Street with Back Street, which has fewer shops and considerably less congestion. Along the beach is a ½-mile-long (1-km-long) boardwalk with restaurants and several Wi-Fi hot spots.Wathey Square (pronounced watty) is in the heart of the village. Directly across from the square are the town hall and the courthouse, in a striking white building with cupola. The structure was built in 1793 and has served as the commander’s home, a fire station, a jail, and a post office. The streets surrounding the square are lined with hotels, duty-free shops, restaurants, and cafés. The Captain Hodge Pier, just off the square, is a good spot to view Great Bay and the beach that stretches alongside.
Nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, cocoa those heady aromas fill the air in Grenada (pronounced gruh-nay-da). Only 21 miles (33½ km) long and 12 miles (19½ km) wide, the Isle of Spice is a tropical gem of lush rain forests, white-sand beaches, secluded coves, exotic flowers, and enough locally grown spices to fill anyone’s kitchen cabinet. St. George’s is one of the most picturesque capital cities in the Caribbean, St. George’s Harbour is one of the most picturesque harbors, and Grenada’s Grand Anse Beach is one of the region’s finest beaches. The island has friendly, hospitable people and enough good shopping, restaurants, historic sites, and natural wonders to make it a popular port of call. About one-third of Grenada’s visitors arrive by cruise ship, and that number continues to grow each year. Grenada’s capital is a bustling West Indian city, much of which remains unchanged from colonial days. Narrow streets lined with shops wind up, down, and across steep hills. Brick warehouses cling to the waterfront, and pastel-painted homes rise from the waterfront and disappear into steep green hills. The horseshoe-shaped St. George’s Harbour, a submerged volcanic crater, is arguably the prettiest harbor in the Caribbean. Schooners, ferries, and tour boats tie up along the seawall or at the small dinghy dock. The Carenage (pronounced car-a-nahzh), which surrounds the harbor, is the capital’s center. Warehouses, shops, and restaurants line the waterfront. The Christ of the Deep statue that sits on the pedestrian plaza at the center of The Carenage was presented to Grenada by Costa Cruise Line in remembrance of its ship, Bianca C, which burned and sank in the harbor in 1961 and is now a favorite dive site. An engineering feat for its time, the 340-foot-long Sendall Tunnel was built in 1895 and named for Walter Sendall, an early governor. The narrow tunnel, used by both pedestrians and vehicles, separates the harbor side of St. George’s from the Esplanade on the bay side of town, where you can find the markets (produce, meat, and fish), the Cruise Ship Terminal, the Esplanade Mall, and the public bus station.
The oldest town in St. Lucia and the island’s former French colonial capital, Soufrière was founded by the French in 1746 and named for its proximity to the volcano of the same name. The wharf is the center of activity in this sleepy town (population, 9,000), particularly when a cruise ship anchors in pretty Soufrière Bay. French colonial influences are evident in the second-story verandahs, gingerbread trim, and other appointments of the wooden buildings that surround the market square. The market building itself is decorated with colorful murals. Soufrière, the site of much of St. Lucia’s renowned natural beauty, is the destination of most sightseeing trips. This is where you can get up close to the iconic Pitons and visit colonial capital of St. Lucia, with its “drive-in” volcano, botanical gardens, working plantations, waterfalls, and countless other examples of the natural beauty for which St. Lucia is deservedly famous.
You can easily explore all of Gustavia during a two-hour stroll. Some shops close from noon to 3 or 4, so plan lunch accordingly, but stores stay open past 7 in the evening. Parking in Gustavia is a challenge, especially during vacation times. A good spot to park is rue de la République, alongside the catamarans, yachts, and sailboats.
The capital of Dutch St. Maarten stretches about a mile (1½ km) along an isthmus between Great Bay and the Salt Pond and has five parallel streets. Most of the village’s dozens of shops and restaurants are on Front Street, narrow and cobblestone, closest to Great Bay. It’s generally congested when cruise ships are in port, because of its many duty-free shops and several casinos. Little lanes called steegjes connect Front Street with Back Street, which has fewer shops and considerably less congestion. Along the beach is a ½-mile-long (1-km-long) boardwalk with restaurants and several Wi-Fi hot spots.Wathey Square (pronounced watty) is in the heart of the village. Directly across from the square are the town hall and the courthouse, in a striking white building with cupola. The structure was built in 1793 and has served as the commander’s home, a fire station, a jail, and a post office. The streets surrounding the square are lined with hotels, duty-free shops, restaurants, and cafés. The Captain Hodge Pier, just off the square, is a good spot to view Great Bay and the beach that stretches alongside.
The SEA CLOUD SPIRIT carries the spirit of our legendary flagship into a new age. This is also reflected in the ambience of the owner suites on the panorama deck. Her noble design combines with the spaciousness of the room to create an exclusive living environment. The idea of the owner suite is the modern interpretation of a tradition from the time when the ship owners themselves lived on board and had the best cabins furnished for themselves. The feeling of being the centre of the endless expanse of the ocean is reinforced by the unique perspective through the large panoramic windows overlooking the sea. Experiencing the sea is meant literally here – on the large balcony, sailing becomes a special pleasure.
Our junior suites are also characterised by the elegant interpretation of the SEA CLOUD’s classic design and are designed with love for detail. Their generous character is further enhanced by the fact that they are flooded with light thanks to the panorama windows. Those who are still not satisfied with the view can enjoy the proximity of the sea from the spacious balcony. These cabins are a must for people who love the sea and above all fresh air. The simple elegance of the classic modern interior corresponds in gentle tension with the maritime atmosphere on board our new ship.
The outside cabins of this category on the lido deck combine the comfort and personal atmosphere of a five-star hotel room with the maritime, elegant cosiness that only the SEA CLOUD SPIRIT offers. The high panoramic windows can be opened. Of course, these panoramic windows also offer a wonderful view of the sea at any time of day.
The large portholes give our De-Luxe outside cabins on the cabin deck a special maritime flair. Together with their elegant yacht ambience, these living spaces emphasise the certainty of being on an extraordinary journey with an extraordinary ship. Precious materials and the stylish design give the spacious cabins a cosy atmosphere. And of course this cabin category is also characterised by the combination of the long SEA CLOUD tradition with the modern interpretation of classic elegance.
These outside cabins on both sides of the cabin deck are the epitome of cosiness on board the SEA CLOUD SPIRIT. This is where you can retreat, switch off and relax while enjoying the unique luxurious ambience for which our private yachts are famous. Here too, tradition and the future of travel on board a modern tall ship meets in the elegant interior.
The two cabins in this category are the ideal home for single travellers who want to enjoy the special comfort of the SEA CLOUD SPIRIT. In a slightly smaller space, they offer the same luxury and comfort as the other double cabins on the cabin deck.
The range of accommodation starts from Cat. E. You will receive your exact cabin number when arriving on board. The allotment for this category is very limited.
Whether lunchtime buffet, sundowner or barbecue – meet other sailing enthusiasts for companionable talks in the comfortable teak chairs on the lido deck.
In the evening, elaborate menus, fine wines and a first-class service in the 180° panorama restaurant will not only let the palate embark on a voyage of discovery. In addition to the “Fine Dining” evening menu in the restaurant, we now also offer you the option to dine on the lido deck at a time of your preference and enjoy our flexible bistro menu selection.
Smaller ships, greater possibilities
Among the many joys of travelling smaller: a quick spin on a zodiac, enjoying the beach barbeques in secluded bays, photo safaris, pausing for a dip in the azure sea. And on selected tours, some exclusive experiences are included – a private concert, an opera house or a palace tour, a culinary visit to a special vineyard, or a front-row seat at a legendary regatta.
Dive in and be active
Whether you want to start your swim directly from the ship or explore the colorful world on the reef – water sports are even more fun under the Caribbean sun. Equipment is available for everyone: Snorkels, fins and stand-up paddles are waiting for you. If you are in the mood for even greater action, let yourself be glided across the crystal clear waters by tubing in the Caribbean.
Classic yacht style with many maritime details: In the elegant lounge with its Steinway grand piano, you will instantly feel at home.
The light-flooded library can also be found on the same deck. The breathtaking panoramic view of the foredeck through the large panorama windows is breathtaking at any time of day.
You can find the Self-Service Bar, Shower and Fitness Area on the Sun Deck.
Whether lunchtime buffet, sundowner or barbecue – meetother sailing enthusiasts for companionable talks in the comfortable teak chairs on the lido deck.
Only the best for body and soul: The fitness area on the sun deck features the latest cardio equipment and offers a great ocean view. After your sports unit, you can relax right next door on the spacious sun deck with sunloungers, circular sunbeds and a shower.
The generous spa impresses with two treatment rooms, steam bath, Finnish sauna, relaxation room, multi-sensory shower, various massages, beauty parlour and hairdressing salon.
The chef will happily accommodate special diet requests—please let us know about any requests in advance so that we may prepare.
During the day, and depending on the weather, a sophisticated summer look is suitable. For the evening, we recommend smart-casual wear. We also kindly request that guests refrain from wearing shorts at evening meals. The Captain’s Dinner (an event which normally takes place twice on each trip – once on short cruises) is a time when our guests tend to opt for a more elegant look. We recommend a suit for men and appropriate smart dress for women. Please remember to take some non-slip shoes with you.
Our tall ships SEA CLOUD and SEA CLOUD II are not accessible for all people with disabilities and are not suitable for wheelchair users. Please contact our cruise consultancy for further details.
Smoking is permitted only on the outer decks outside of meal times. We kindly request that smokers take the comfort of other passengers into consideration. Smoking is prohibited on the blue lagoon deck and covered areas of the spanker and lido deck at all times.
Laundry services available on board are limited to washing and ironing. There is no dry-cleaning available. The washing and ironing service is provided at an additional charge and is carried out overnight. For guests with bookings in Cat. A-C (SEA CLOUD) or Cat. A+B (SEA CLOUD II), this service is free of charge. For safety reasons, passengers are not permitted to iron in their cabins.
A laptop is available for use on board in the lounge (SEA CLOUD) or in the library (SEA CLOUD II). You can use this laptop or your own laptop to connect to the internet (Wi-Fi) using the access code, however please note that there is a charge for this. The code can be obtained from reception or the purser.
Children are of course very welcome on our ships, however there is no supervision or entertainment available for children.
We approach the people and their cultures with respect in all the regions we visit, travelling mindfully through the local environment. By doing this, we can bring our guests closer – in the truest sense of the word – to these places, and what makes each one special.
THE WINDJAMMER EXPERIENCE
For you and us alike, the key attraction of our trips is the chance to sail on the open seas.
We therefore take every opportunity to set sail and be propelled by the sheer power of the wind. That is why the captain will sometimes change the route if the weather requires it. On board our SEA CLOUD tall ships, you’ll experience the elements, as many of the day-to-day activities take place outside.
HAVING AS LITTLE IMPACT AS POSSIBLE
When we do have to start the engines, we utilise low-sulphur marine diesel on all three of our windjammers.
For us, this is standard practice. Even the SEA CLOUD, our very first windjammer, was equipped with this technology right from the start. Our motto: to minimise our impact on the environment yet still make a profound and positive impression on those around us.
A SUSTAINABLE APPROACH TO LIFE ON-BOARD
Avoiding plastic, reducing water usage and protecting the environment.
These are the factors that guide us in the day to day operation of our ships and our ongoing development of eco-friendly alternatives. To cite just one example, our reusable drinks bottles are not only easy on the eye, but also easy on the environment.
QUALITY, NOT QUANTITY
Our ‘small but perfectly formed’ windjammers are able to visit smaller ports, away from the busy routes frequented by large cruise liners.
With a maximum of 64 to 136 passengers, we’re always welcomed in those locations thanks to our approach of visiting local communities rather than overwhelming them. Needless to say, our itineraries also include some classic destinations, though we usually visit these only when the mega-liners have moved on.
BOOSTING THE LOCAL ECONOMY
Procuring supplies locally, working with local, smaller-scale agencies and paying fair prices.
By taking this approach, we see ourselves as a partner for our local service providers, with whom we’ve built relationships based on trust over many years. After all, we want our voyages to benefit both our guests and the communities we visit around the world.
AUTHENTIC CUISINE
Our menus are always a true reflection of the regional cuisine.
This is because our chefs enjoy buying exotic spices, local specialities and freshly caught fish from local markets to bring you – even in a culinary sense – closer to the places we visit.
A MEMBER OF THE FUTOURIS NETWORK
Heading into the future with Futouris.
Preserving the natural and cultural heritage of our world and shaping the future of tourism in a sustainable way is what Futouris stands for. Members of the network are working globally to improve people’s living conditions, preserve biodiversity and protect the environment and climate.
All three ships have a hospital, which is supervised by a ship’s doctor. Medical consultation hours can be found in the daily program. In case of an emergency, the doctor can be reached at any time by calling 911.
- Fitness Area
- Self-Service Bar
- Captain
- Bridge
- Shower
- Sun Deck
- Elevator
- Lido Bar & Bistro
- Lounge
- Elevator
- Library
- De Luxe Lido Cabins
- Elevator
- Restaurant
- Reception
- Suites
- Junior Suites
- De Luxe Cabins
- Superior Cabins
- Superior Single Cabins
- Elevator
- Hospital
- Swim Platform
- Hairdresser
- Relaxation Room
- Finnish Sauna
- Shower
- Foot Bath
- Treatment Rooms
- Boutique
- Stream Bath
Get in touch with our team to start planning
Call and speak to a member of our experienced team today on +44 (0)1491 528 988 or email info@authenticcruises.co.uk.
Alternatively, leave your details and our team will get back to you as soon as possible.